Organic farming and climate change mitigation

The key challenge of the next two decades is to stabilise atmospheric carbon dioxide to limit a global temperature rise by 2 degrees and avert catastrophic climate change. The global population is estimated to be in the region of 9 billion by 2050 which will place further pressure on food security and resources.

In the wake of the recent extreme flooding in Ireland strategies to mitigate climate change must become a priority of the government. Commitments on food and farming have not taken centre stage in the lead-up to the Copenhagen COP15 Summit, but there is growing awareness of the importance of the role of the agricultural sector. Within the EU the food that we eat represents nearly a third of our climate footprint as consumers.

“Farming will have a crucial role to play in climate change mitigation and adaption. Organic farming is a solution multiplier. It emits less carbon as it uses fewer inputs and sequesters higher carbon in soils, while delivering better results in biodiversity conservation, animal welfare and soil conservation” stated Dr. Sinead Neiland, Chairperson of IOFGA. “Business as usual is not an option, agriculture must play its part in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The Irish government must ensure that the potentials for mitigation from agriculture with particular reference to organic farming are on the agenda for discussion in Copenhagen” she stated.

The Irish Organic Association (IOFGA) is the largest organic certification organisation in Ireland. It is responsible for certifying the organic provenance of its members produce and the IOA symbol indicates that a product has met the highest standard of organic integrity. IOA also works to inform the public about the benefits or organic food and to support the development of organic food production in Ireland.